Well, here's what I think. BTW Thistle is
for sale. I was just getting ready to post an advert when I saw this thread. BTW#2; We can easily do over 8 knots engine or sailing, and use less than 1.5 GPH. BTW#3; We're
living aboard at St. Katarine's docks, London. UK--start cruising in Europe!
Why a Motorsailor
If you are dreaming of a sailboat for cruising,
live-aboard, or a holiday-home afloat, you have no doubt realized that every boat that will fulfill that dream is to some extent a motorsailor. Once you’ve come to that conclusion, you’ll come to appreciate the advantages of a true
motorsailer.
The most apparent feature of a motorsailor is the pilothouse. A proper pilothouse provides a warm, dry second helming position and
navigation station for bashing through a rain squall, or having a ‘cup-a’ while keeping watch in a tricky anchorage. Making
passage, at the
dock or on the hook, the pilothouse is your ‘room with a view’ for dining and entertaining. There is a reason that most modern sailboats are offered in a ‘deck saloon’ version, but most do not offer that critical inside
helm (not to mention forward visibility), and many still stick the navigator ‘in the hole’ below decks.
The long held myth is that motorsailors, with their high profile and short rigs, have the sailing characteristics of a brick cottage and make up for it with a big motor. Yet, observations along any
dock will show that the new generation of ‘cruiser-racers’ have grown fatter and taller, and been fitted with bigger engines, while modern designed motorsailors have become sleeker and befit from serious sailing rigs.
If you are now looking for a Nauticat,
Fisher, or Colvic Watson, you owe it to yourself to see the sailor’s motorsailor, Thistle. She’s a SeaFinn 411.
On
introduction, the SeaFinn 411 was billed as ‘the ultimate motorsailor.’ We can attest to the validity of the claim. She has powerful ketch-rig and combines good sailing performance with a strong engine to maintain speed in all conditions, while her semi-full
keel provides sea kindliness,
safety, and comfort. Her large pilothouse with second
helm and forward facing nav station has excellent visibility for comfortable all-weather sailing. The best of Finnish design and craftsmanship are blended to produce a yacht that combines traditional elegance with modern performance, comfort and
safety. With her easily handled and reliable roller furled
genoa and main she is a delight to sail and will surprise a fair few cruiser-racers, but where she truly shines is in the real world of getting you where you want to go quickly and comfortably.
After 20 years of dreaming and 5 years of actively searching for the perfect yacht, we discovered Thistle on Majorca 12 years ago and fell in love with her looks and design. And with 11 years of full-time cruising now behind us, Thistle has indeed fulfilled every expectation.
After
purchase we set about a program to upgrade and modernize her pilothouse (forward facing nav station cum ship’s office),
galley (new dish cabinet, counter tops, double sink, and a large refrigerator-freezer), and master
head (separate
shower stall). We also added a bow thruster, new sailing
instruments and autopilots, and integrated the
GPS to the
autopilot and the
laptop for electronic charting. In 2006 we renewed the
teak decks, had the bottom Hot-Vac’d and barrier coated, and refurbished the finishes throughout the
interior. Thistle shows as a near
new boat.
Thistle’s strength and seaworthiness have been thoroughly tested in the
Baltic, North Sea, and
Mediterranean. And, with masts removed, her shoal
draft enabled us to enjoy the inland waterways of
Europe. She is truly a versatile yacht. Aboard Thistle, cruising is an enjoyable experience. Her layout and accommodation make life aboard a pleasure whether under way, swinging at
anchor, or sitting at the dock. With
classic good looks --
teak decks, rails and
interior -- she draws admiring comments wherever we sail. Thistle has been superbly equipped, upgraded, and maintained for long range cruising, she is ready to go.